January 12/Dallas/Dairy Herd Network  -- Rising whey prices are part of the reason why the U.S. Department of Agriculture has boosted its estimate of Class III milk prices for the coming year. According to the “World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates” report, Class III prices are expected to average between $17.10 and $17.90 this year, which is a slight upward revision from December’s estimate of $16.90 to $17.70.

Bob Cropp, professor emeritus and dairy markets analyst from the University of Wisconsin, has predicted that Class III prices could average $17 this year, although there is a possibility they could do a little better than that.